SOUTHEND 5
It certainly looks as if the problems those travellers encountered were handled badly by all involved but I wonder if they were advised of the Andrews Taxis cab-share scheme. This offers those who have missed the last London train the option of a taxi at £20/person (subject to a minimum of £100 in total) in a 7-seater taxi. Being backpackers they may not have wanted to spend that sort of money perhaps.
The airport operating hours are actually shown on the LSA website in the 'Check In Preparation' section:
"Passengers should be aware that the terminal building is open between 04:00 and 00:00. All passengers arriving before 04:00 will not be allowed access to the terminal."
That information could certainly be more prominently displayed perhaps.
The airport operating hours are actually shown on the LSA website in the 'Check In Preparation' section:
"Passengers should be aware that the terminal building is open between 04:00 and 00:00. All passengers arriving before 04:00 will not be allowed access to the terminal."
That information could certainly be more prominently displayed perhaps.
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Well, if it was my airport, I wouldn't want people sleeping inside. What would the check-in passengers at 0430 think when they arrive to find bodies and blankets (not to mention empty plastic bottles, MacD's stinking boxes, etc) scattered all over the floors and seats. It could also attract undesireables from the town to shelter with their drugs and booze and unwashed bodies. Sorry, but keep the doors locked so the cleaning staff can tidy it all up, and make bigger signs on the entrance doors about the hours open/closed.
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Well those passengers assumed wrong, and should have done some research before they arrived. Surely that's common sense! As the saying goes assuming makes an 'ass' out of 'u' and 'me'.
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Southend seems to have a small airport mentality here. The airport has scheduled services that arrive late at night so making public transport connections impossible and rather than helping those passengers that would rather stay in the safe confines of the terminal until they can use public transport just kicks them out and tells them to clear off at gone midnight. There could be an argument about a duty of care not to put its passengers in any danger.
The fact that the airport is closed overnight and there is no public transport should be the first thing passengers see when they connect to the Southend website. Then passengers will know not to use the airport if they need to use public transport.
I actually tried to find out what the opening hours were and I had to big deep to find the one line of information. It certainly does not come up via the search facility on the airport website.
I am thinking the posters here that think Southend is reasonable and talk about passengers dossing down in the terminal and making the place untidy, which happens at all airports with late night and early departures, would actually be the first to jump for joy if the terminal went 24/7.
The fact that the airport is closed overnight and there is no public transport should be the first thing passengers see when they connect to the Southend website. Then passengers will know not to use the airport if they need to use public transport.
I actually tried to find out what the opening hours were and I had to big deep to find the one line of information. It certainly does not come up via the search facility on the airport website.
I am thinking the posters here that think Southend is reasonable and talk about passengers dossing down in the terminal and making the place untidy, which happens at all airports with late night and early departures, would actually be the first to jump for joy if the terminal went 24/7.
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I remember when backpacking around the Southern Hemisphere a while back, I arrived at Christchurch airport in NZ at 1am due to a coach delay.
Had no option but to stay in the airport.When I got to departures it was closed.
I spoke to one of the staff who indicated that they kept just the arrival section open for people to sleep if waiting for a early departure or arrived late.
Security would check that they were actually travelling through the airport and not just dossing!
Don't know the layout of SEN or if it would be possible but I feel also that they should at least have a duty of care .The girls would have expected that all London airports are 24 hr and to be honest that's pretty fair!
Had no option but to stay in the airport.When I got to departures it was closed.
I spoke to one of the staff who indicated that they kept just the arrival section open for people to sleep if waiting for a early departure or arrived late.
Security would check that they were actually travelling through the airport and not just dossing!
Don't know the layout of SEN or if it would be possible but I feel also that they should at least have a duty of care .The girls would have expected that all London airports are 24 hr and to be honest that's pretty fair!
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Of course the hotel would have let them in, all they needed to do was pay for a room to sleep in overnight which is what normal people do.
"The cheaper the fare then the worse the passenger"!
"The cheaper the fare then the worse the passenger"!
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Yes, but one finds a better class of t0sser in first class!
I'm s self-employed hotelier and I find my place the subject of these disgruntled budget traveller reviews, we sell rooms on a 'room only' basis and the most recent review complained that he found himself unable to ask, because he's racist and only wants to ask a fellow country person and not a foreigner like myself, to borrow our restaurant kitchen utensils and for us to provide to him, free of charge, boiled mineral water … It has never occurred to him to buy a coffee in a restaurant or to buy water from a shop whilst investing in a travel kettle … So I'm with the airport regarding this review because I can see straight through it.
These travellers did not live in Southend, they had no car parked at SEN, so they were free to travel BCN to any of the LON airports, they clearly opted to travel to SEN because the fare was cheaper than to other LON airports where all night terminals would be open with National Express coaches and perhaps rail services operating throughout the night.
They PRESUMED that SEN's terminal would remain open all night, they made no effort whatsoever to pre-book, online, a budget hotel or B&B before arriving, a low overnight temperature wouldn't have been any surprise to them, they knew there were no middle of the night public transport services, they complained that the airport McDonald's wouldn't accommodate or serve them when I'm pretty damn sure there is a H24 burger joint or similar in downtown Southend … But that would incur the cost of a taxi!
“Disgusting” that the airport hotel wouldn't let them doss down in their lobby free of charge … LOL
Rant over
P.S. You should see some of my responses to my own place's online reviews
I'm s self-employed hotelier and I find my place the subject of these disgruntled budget traveller reviews, we sell rooms on a 'room only' basis and the most recent review complained that he found himself unable to ask, because he's racist and only wants to ask a fellow country person and not a foreigner like myself, to borrow our restaurant kitchen utensils and for us to provide to him, free of charge, boiled mineral water … It has never occurred to him to buy a coffee in a restaurant or to buy water from a shop whilst investing in a travel kettle … So I'm with the airport regarding this review because I can see straight through it.
These travellers did not live in Southend, they had no car parked at SEN, so they were free to travel BCN to any of the LON airports, they clearly opted to travel to SEN because the fare was cheaper than to other LON airports where all night terminals would be open with National Express coaches and perhaps rail services operating throughout the night.
They PRESUMED that SEN's terminal would remain open all night, they made no effort whatsoever to pre-book, online, a budget hotel or B&B before arriving, a low overnight temperature wouldn't have been any surprise to them, they knew there were no middle of the night public transport services, they complained that the airport McDonald's wouldn't accommodate or serve them when I'm pretty damn sure there is a H24 burger joint or similar in downtown Southend … But that would incur the cost of a taxi!
“Disgusting” that the airport hotel wouldn't let them doss down in their lobby free of charge … LOL
Rant over
P.S. You should see some of my responses to my own place's online reviews
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It's a bit like going into McDonalds, buying a portion of fries and expecting (as a duty of care) for them to supply the burger and milkshake for free because you're hungry but only have £1 on you.
EasyJet provided these girls with a flight from A to B (being Southend) at a time when the airport was open. What happens after that is your responsibility IF they have provided you with the goods sold correctly.
I have arrived at Stansted at 4am for a 6.30 departure before and the place honestly looks like Centrepoint at Christmas. Me and the family had to step over a number of 'sleeping bags' in the queue for check-in. It's an airport... Not a homeless shelter.
If you can afford a plane ticket then you should be able to afford a hotel or onward travel. If you can't, you shouldn't be spending your money on plane tickets IMHO.
EasyJet provided these girls with a flight from A to B (being Southend) at a time when the airport was open. What happens after that is your responsibility IF they have provided you with the goods sold correctly.
I have arrived at Stansted at 4am for a 6.30 departure before and the place honestly looks like Centrepoint at Christmas. Me and the family had to step over a number of 'sleeping bags' in the queue for check-in. It's an airport... Not a homeless shelter.
If you can afford a plane ticket then you should be able to afford a hotel or onward travel. If you can't, you shouldn't be spending your money on plane tickets IMHO.
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I particularly liked your response of Marinalyub's review. You're doing fine on Cloud 9.
And that I was in bed asleep by 10pm when I needed to be up at 4am the next morning, I mean expecting 6 hours sleep when I hadn't had a day off for four years was totally unreasonable of me
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Night Closure
It's fascinating to read the views regarding the issues over LSA's night closure.
There's a clear divide here between the "Duty of care" opinions, and the "It's their bloody problem" ones. Is it fair to say that the latter are from those who believe the great unwashed have no business being in possession of a passport?
Surely, LSA have every right to determine their operating hours? Train Stations close after the last train has arrived/departed. Why not an airport? Well, many of you will have experienced being unable to continue their journey for a multitude of reasons, and it seems like Hell at the time. Now imagine you're in a country for the first time, barely able to speak the language, and some jobsworth tosses you out into the cold to fend for yourself. Now imagine if it's fair to class yourself as vulnerable - perhaps you have young kids in tow....
I seriously can't tell you whether LSA have this covered. I do believe that reasonable provision for onward travel should be a pre-requisite for any 'London' airport. If the Stobart management do not agree with this, then it's time to change the name back to Southend Airport. Then, those arriving late at night would probably be under no illusions as to what they should expect when exiting the terminal.
There's a clear divide here between the "Duty of care" opinions, and the "It's their bloody problem" ones. Is it fair to say that the latter are from those who believe the great unwashed have no business being in possession of a passport?
Surely, LSA have every right to determine their operating hours? Train Stations close after the last train has arrived/departed. Why not an airport? Well, many of you will have experienced being unable to continue their journey for a multitude of reasons, and it seems like Hell at the time. Now imagine you're in a country for the first time, barely able to speak the language, and some jobsworth tosses you out into the cold to fend for yourself. Now imagine if it's fair to class yourself as vulnerable - perhaps you have young kids in tow....
I seriously can't tell you whether LSA have this covered. I do believe that reasonable provision for onward travel should be a pre-requisite for any 'London' airport. If the Stobart management do not agree with this, then it's time to change the name back to Southend Airport. Then, those arriving late at night would probably be under no illusions as to what they should expect when exiting the terminal.
A long time ago, as a man in his 20s, I was very grateful when a bus station employee unlocked the doors late at night and (after seeing that I had a genuine ticket for departure a few hours later), let me spend 3 hours indoors instead of having to stay in a rather dodgy part of a city in Latin America.
My understanding at the large London airports is that if people are genuine travellers and don't make any trouble / noise or annoy others, a blind eye is turned and they are allowed to sleep on a bench or the floor. Get drunk, are very smelly, p*ss on the floor or otherwise make a nuisance of yourself and security will throw you out pretty quickly.
It seems a shame that SEN cannot adopt a slightly more nuanced approach that involves discretion
https://www.sleepinginairports.net/l...n&terminal=SEN
My understanding at the large London airports is that if people are genuine travellers and don't make any trouble / noise or annoy others, a blind eye is turned and they are allowed to sleep on a bench or the floor. Get drunk, are very smelly, p*ss on the floor or otherwise make a nuisance of yourself and security will throw you out pretty quickly.
It seems a shame that SEN cannot adopt a slightly more nuanced approach that involves discretion
https://www.sleepinginairports.net/l...n&terminal=SEN
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I can't be the only person so anal I check what transport links from airports I fly to are?
Southend is not far from Southend, and if accommodation in Southend (much of it must be cheap) had been sold out that night we'd have heard about it on the news.
Does this make for a worse airport than Heathrow or Gatwick? Yes. And presumably the cost of the flights reflected this, otherwise they wouldn't have flown from there in the first place...
Southend is not far from Southend, and if accommodation in Southend (much of it must be cheap) had been sold out that night we'd have heard about it on the news.
Does this make for a worse airport than Heathrow or Gatwick? Yes. And presumably the cost of the flights reflected this, otherwise they wouldn't have flown from there in the first place...
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As a self-employed hotelier where I live if one doesn't have the permission of the owner to stay somewhere then that is squatting and squatting is a criminal offence.
My impression is that the police were very lenient with these people, they referred them to McDonald's believing that McD's might still be open and/or they referred them to the hotel making suggestion that they check-in as paying guests.
Alas the thought of putting their hand in their pocket simply hadn't occurred to these people
My impression is that the police were very lenient with these people, they referred them to McDonald's believing that McD's might still be open and/or they referred them to the hotel making suggestion that they check-in as paying guests.
Alas the thought of putting their hand in their pocket simply hadn't occurred to these people
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They PRESUMED that SEN's terminal would remain open all night, they made no effort whatsoever to pre-book, online, a budget hotel or B&B before arriving
It is clear that Southend's passenger figures have benefited from passengers being somewhat ignorant of the facts regarding Southend and which Southend Airport's website seems to perpetuate by not proving clear and precise information.
Info from their own website. Getting to and from the airport
Driving
Carriageway Resurfacing works - Overnight Road Closures 7.30pm to 7am from Monday 6th - Thursday 9th February.
Carriageway Resurfacing works - Overnight Road Closures 7.30pm to 7am from Monday 6th - Thursday 9th February.
Rail
Ticket Office Opening Hours: Monday - Sunday (including bank holidays): 06:00 - 23:00
At peak up to 8 trains an hour run from Southend Airport Station to Central London
Journey time from London Liverpool Street Station 53 minutes
Journey time from Stratford Station 44 minutes
Ticket Office Opening Hours: Monday - Sunday (including bank holidays): 06:00 - 23:00
At peak up to 8 trains an hour run from Southend Airport Station to Central London
Journey time from London Liverpool Street Station 53 minutes
Journey time from Stratford Station 44 minutes
Andrews Airport Cars are a premium and trusted Taxi service, available 24 hours a day.
It is reasonable for airports to close overnight when flights end in the early evening but it seems somewhat harsh that with flights arriving close to midnight carrying many foreign nationals who will be relying on non existent public transport that the airport has a zero tolerance to them at the stroke of midnight.
Easyjet should make it clear when booking early morning and late night arriving flights at SEN that there is no public transport options and the airport is closed between midnight and 4 am.
The airport website should also prominently inform passengers of the same thing. If they had both did this then these passengers would have nothing to complain about but I suspect the airport would have been down a few extra passengers this year as they would have gone elsewhere.
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No mention about the terminal actually being closed overnight
I recall when I used to travel on the 0600 Austrian Airlines departure from LHR, terminal 2 or 3, there were no LHR hotel shuttle buses operating at that time of the morning whilst the terminal was closed until 0500 ... And LHR is one of the world's busiest airports, not some seaside aerodrome.
There are a few here that are completely missing the point. No one is going to fly into Southend to save a few pounds only to spend more than the saving made by using SEN to then have to book into even a cheap hotel. A better option would be to have spent a few pounds more on the ticket flying into a 24 hour airport.
When I lived/worked in LGW and the optimum travel was out of LHR I would take a hotel stay & park deal, when I lived in the midlands LHR was a pain in the butt to get to by public transport, expensive to park the car at, so I would hire two one-way hire cars.
When I lived/worked in LGW and one time needed to go to Odessa the best flight deal was out of STN with MALEV, no problem to pay to get across the Dartford Crossing and a stay & park deal at The Green Man in Old Harlow.
A crack of sparrow farts AF departure out of BHX, no problem, I got a good deal staying the night before at the Chace Hotel in Coventry ... where there was a very good fish & chip shop across the road
Whenever I may leave home to go travelling I know exactly how I am going to be getting from A to B and where I'm going to be sleeping, and I don't 'do' park benches, should I f*** up in my travel plans then that is nobody's fault except my own, I don't presume that somewhere is going to have a place for me to sleep, I make damn sure that I'm going to have a place to sleep.